This past Sunday marked the last round of the group stage in the Paulistão 2024.
Join us as we review important matches from the round and see how the situation unfolded for the big clubs in the competition.
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Index
Santos 3 x 2 Inter de Limeira
A clash between two strong teams in the competition, Santos hosted Inter at Vila Belmiro.
Santos aimed for the overall championship lead, although it seemed unlikely, as Palmeiras faced Botafogo-SP simultaneously at Arena Barueri.
A mere draw for Palmeiras would secure Santos in the second position.
Nevertheless, a victory was crucial since Red Bull Bragantino had the chance to reach second place.
It’s worth noting that final standings are significant for home-field advantage in the knockout phase.
As for the game, it was quite a match.
Both teams sought victory, making it an open game from the start.
Santos had an early scare with Otero’s free-kick saved by Max Walef.
At the 15th minute, Felipe Jonatan attempted a dribble in the defensive field but was dispossessed due to Inter de Limeira’s high pressing.
A swift transition led to Guilherme Lima being fouled inside the box by Nonato.
Experienced striker Quirino calmly converted the penalty to give Inter the lead.
Santos quickly responded just a minute later when Otero showcased his skill, dribbling past Cesar and delivering a precise cross for Furch to head home the equalizer.
The match went back and forth. At the 24th minute, a defensive lapse from Santos allowed Albano to deliver a cross from the right. Despite a miscued shot by Bochecha, Quirino found himself unmarked to score his second.
Before the end of the first half, Inter had a chance to extend their lead with a potential hat-trick from Quirino, but João Paulo made a good save.
Santos’ main weapon for the equalizer was Otero. The midfielder had a stellar performance, providing an assist and threatening with his set-pieces.
The equalizer came through a penalty won by Pedrinho, which Furch converted confidently to level the score at 2-2.
Both teams continued creating chances, and it was Santos who emerged victorious. A mistake by Guilherme Lima allowed Cazares to capitalize, securing a 3-2 win for Santos.
With this victory, Santos secured the second position overall with 25 points. A remarkable achievement considering their upcoming participation in Serie B and their struggles in previous editions of the Paulistão.
Santos will face Portuguesa on March 17th at 20:15 (Brasília time) at Vila Belmiro.
Meanwhile, Inter de Limeira had a commendable campaign, finishing second in their group. They will face Red Bull Bragantino in the next phase. Despite facing a strong Serie A team, Inter has a chance to advance if they can minimize individual errors. The match is scheduled for March 17th at 16:00 (Brasília time) at Nabi Abi Chedid Stadium.
Photo: Raul Baretta/Santos
Palmeiras 1 x 0 Botafogo-SP
Once again playing away from home, Palmeiras needed just a draw to secure another impressive campaign under Abel Ferreira.
Their final opponent was Botafogo-SP, who had no stakes in the competition, as they were out of contention for the quarter-finals and relegation.
Despite the circumstances, Botafogo-SP posed a threat in the first half.
The defining moment of the match came in the 37th minute when Botafogo-SP’s defender Matheus Costa was sent off, giving Palmeiras a numerical advantage.
Palmeiras dominated the second half, with Mike particularly active on the right flank. The winning goal came in the 67th minute when Mayke delivered a perfect cross for Rony to head home.
Palmeiras will face Ponte Preta in the quarter-finals and are favourites to advance, as well as to win the title. The match is scheduled for March 16th at 18:00 (Brasília time) at Arena Barueri.
Photo: Rebeca Reis/Ag. Paulistão
Ituano 2×3 São Paulo
The São Paulo vs. Ituano match was the most crucial of the last round, with São Paulo securing a dramatic victory in stoppage time and guaranteeing their spot in the next phase.
The Tricolor was battling for qualification against Novorizontino and São Bernardo, both of whom won their matches. Therefore, had São Paulo drawn, they would have ended up in third place, missing out on the knockout stage.
São Paulo created their first dangerous opportunity just 3 minutes into the game. Calleri won a physical battle with the opponent, entered the box, and was dispossessed, but Ferreirinha’s first-time shot on the rebound deflected off the defense, and Jefferson Paulino pushed it out for a corner.
At the 13th minute, Thonny Anderson received a cross and headed alone between the defenders. Rafael made the save, and the defense cleared.
São Paulo opened the scoring at the 18th minute. Igor Vinícius took a corner, Calleri rose above the marking, nodded it down, and Ferreira anticipated to head it into the back of the net.
Ituano quickly responded and equalized at the 27th minute. Paiva made an individual play on the right and crossed perfectly for Zé Carlos to head it past Rafael.
At the 35th minute, Calleri received the ball in a pivot position and made a beautiful backheel pass to Luciano, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but was denied by Jefferson Paulino.
The Tricolor regained the lead just a minute later. Igor Vinícius made a beautiful individual play, went to the byline, and crossed it back. Luciano took it first-time and scored.
At halftime, São Paulo, Novorizontino, and São Bernardo were winning their matches. With these scores, only São Paulo and Novorizontino would secure a spot in the next phase.
Twice in the second half, at the 57th and 61st minutes, Juan was denied by Jefferson Paulino with shots in the box.
At the 81st minute, José Aldo tried from outside the box, and Rafael saved it in two attempts.
At the 88th minute, Ituano equalized. Bruno Alves crossed, and after a scramble in the box, Zé Carlos fired home the Galo’s second goal.
With the current results, São Paulo would be eliminated, as they were drawing, while Novorizontino and Mirassol were winning their matches.
But São Paulo didn’t give up. At the 90th minute, Juan sprinted forward, entered the box, and struck a shot that rattled the crossbar.
At the 93rd minute, Marlon committed a penalty on Juan, and after VAR review, Raphael Claus pointed to the spot. Lucas stepped up to take the penalty with huge responsibility, struck it confidently, and gave São Paulo the victory.
With the win, the Tricolor qualified top of the group with 22 points, followed by Novorizontino with the same points and São Bernardo, who finished third with 21 points.
The Paulistão regulations are cruel, as São Bernardo accumulated more points than all other second-placed teams, and also had a better goal difference than Bragantino, the leaders of Group C.
Ituano finished last in the championship with only 6 points and will not participate in the elite of the Paulistão after 23 years.
São Paulo will face Novorizontino in a single match for the quarter-finals at Morumbis on March 17th at 18:00 (Brasília time).
Photo: Rubens Chiri / Saopaulofc.net
Água Santa 0x0 Corinthians
Corinthians entered the last round of the Paulista without a chance of advancing to the knockout stage, while Água Santa had the opportunity to surpass Ponte Preta and secure their spot. However, last year’s finalist only managed a draw and failed to progress further in the competition.
At the 8th minute, Bruno Xavier received the ball in the box, evaded the defense, and struck dangerously, but Carlos Miguel made the save.
At the 15th minute, Neilton delivered a beautiful pass to Bruno Xavier in the box, who struck it across goal narrowly missing the post.
At the 26th minute, Luan Dias took a free-kick that narrowly missed the goal.
At the 33rd minute, Júnior Todinho set up Bruno Xavier with a clear chance, but the winger missed the target.
At the 35th minute, Bruno Xavier received the ball with pace, faced Carlos Miguel one-on-one, the ball passed the goalkeeper, almost reaching the goal, but Hugo cleared it off the line preventing the goal.
At the 46th minute, Ryan Gustavo fouled Neilton, received his second yellow card, and was sent off.
With a player advantage, Água Santa pushed forward, knowing that if Ponte Preta lost to Santo André and they won, they would secure qualification.
At the 15th minute, Alex Silva crossed, Júnior Todinho headed unmarked, but Carlos Miguel made the save.
At the 29th minute, Neilton attempted an Olympic goal from a corner, but Carlos Miguel was alert and made the save.
At the 36th minute, Luan Dias set up Jael with a clear chance, but the striker missed the target.
Corinthians had their first dangerous opportunities at the 44th minute. Arthur Sousa advanced from the left and shot, saved by the goalkeeper. On the rebound, Giovane evaded the defense but missed the target.
At the 46th minute, Arthur crossed, Jael anticipated it but headed wide.
In the battle for the second place in Group B, Ponte Preta was defeated by relegation-threatened Santo André. Thus, Água Santa would have secured qualification with a simple victory, but they couldn’t breach Corinthians’ defense and finished third in the group.
Photo: Leonardo Lima/AGIF
Guarani 1×0 Bragantino
Guarani faced serious relegation risk but defeated Bragantino at Brinco de Ouro da Princesa and remained in the elite of Paulistão.
Guarani opened the scoring at the 8th minute. Diogo Mateus advanced from the right and delivered a perfect cross for Pablo Thomaz to tap into the net.
At the 15th minute, Régis tried to surprise with a shot from midfield, easily caught by Lucão.
At the 17th minute, Vitinho’s curled shot posed a threat to Vladimir’s goal.
At the 23rd minute, Bruninho’s strong cross was met by Gustavinho’s header, which went wide.
At the 37th minute, Gustavo França found a good pass for defender Léo Santos in the box, who struck it across goal, close to the post.
At the 42nd minute, Régis found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, dribbled past him, but missed the target.
At the 11th minute of the second half, Vitinho’s corner found Douglas Mendes, whose header hit the crossbar.
At the 20th minute, Gabriel tried a long-range effort, narrowly missing the post.
Guarani’s victory was crucial to stay in the top tier of Paulistão, as Santo André won against Ponte Preta but couldn’t avoid relegation, despite the triumph in Campinas.
Bragantino faces Inter de Limeira on March 17th, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), at Nabi Abi Chedid.
Photo: Alexandre Battibugli/Ag. Paulistão
Overall Overview of Paulistão 2024
It’s been a surprising tournament so far, no doubt.
The first interesting point is the position of Santos. A team that was relegated for the first time in its history had to undergo a complete restructuring of management, leadership, and squad.
Few players were retained, and the working philosophy was changed. Nevertheless, Pelé’s team has been delivering excellent results, showing the fruits of a very recent overhaul.
This is largely reflected in the selection of the right pieces, Carille’s leadership, and the unconditional support of the fans, who, despite enduring their worst season, continue to back the institution both at home and away.
The other surprising point was the roller coaster of emotions experienced by Corinthians in the tournament.
We had warned in previous texts that this is a short tournament. Just 12 rounds, often played twice a week.
Timão struggled under Mano Menezes, who, if he had stayed longer, could have led the team to the second division of Paulistão.
But the course correction was made in time, and Antonio Oliveira, popularly known as Tonhão da Fiel, found good solutions and, most importantly, boosted the players’ morale.
The improvement was significant, but not enough to qualify for the final stage. Thus, Corinthians will have to secure a place in the Libertadores if they want to play in the 2025 Copa do Brasil since qualification is through reaching the quarter-finals of Paulistão.
It was also a surprise to see São Paulo qualifying only in the last moments of the game.
The negative points are not limited to the match against Ituano, where the second half was very poor. Itu’s team, which has seen better days, is going through a terrible phase and presented low-quality football throughout the competition, including in the final match.
Despite this, São Paulo played poorly in this and other matches. This isn’t the end of the world since Carpini is just starting his work. However, winning the Supercopa do Brasil title may have touched some Tricolor hearts.
What we saw in Paulistão were inconsistent performances. Another point is that São Paulo indeed fell into a very competitive group, where Novorizontino and São Bernardo had impressive campaigns.
For instance, São Bernardo would have qualified in all other groups.
In any case, Novorizontino and São Paulo’s expectations for a very even match, as the countryside team already has great chemistry due to their long-standing work base.
The Tricolor, on the other hand, has a high-level squad but still seeks the best game alternatives.
Now, what wasn’t surprising were the campaigns of Red Bull Bragantino and Palmeiras.
Braga heavily influences the São Paulo and national scene. Today, we have five very strong teams in the state, and the format of four groups seems to be out of touch with the current reality.
Although they are in Serie A and Inter de Limeira is in Serie D, the matchup should be balanced given what Inter has shown in this championship.
Palmeiras isn’t a surprise either. They come to win another Paulistão and are the clear favorites to claim another title.
And for you? Who will be the champion?
Written by Vitor F L Miller and Henry Miller.
